All news (2778)

24.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
The FDFA is deeply concerned by the ongoing hostilities in the province of Idlib and the serious impact this is having on the civilian population. It calls on all parties to the conflict not only to comply strictly with international humanitarian law, but also to return to the negotiating table and find a political solution within the framework of the peace process under the aegis of the United Nations in Geneva, which the FDFA actively supports.

23.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland will resume its cooperation with Eritrea in a new three-year phase. The allocated CHF 6 million will be used to improve vocational skills development. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) took this decision on the basis of the findings and recommendations of an external evaluation commissioned by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the end of a pilot phase to trial resumption of development cooperation with Eritrea.

23.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
An article has appeared in the 23 January 2020 edition of Die Weltwoche concerning the donation of the painting 'Grosse Seestrasse in Wannsee' by Max Liebermann to the Max Liebermann Society in Berlin by the FDFA. The article claims that the then Swiss ambassador in Berlin, Christine Schraner Burgener, made the donation in order to raise her own personal profile and that an accusation of criminal mismanagement had been levelled against her. The FDFA categorically rejects these claims.

22.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has showcased some innovative technology at the 50th World Economic Forum in Davos, which could reduce global CO2 emissions by millions of tonnes per year. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) undertakes a range of projects in the construction industry, working in cooperation with academia and the private sector. The aim of these projects, which are located in emerging economies, is to tackle global warming effectively.

21.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, taking place this year from 21 to 24 January, the House of Switzerland's opening day was dedicated to collaboration between the private sector, academia and international organisations based in Geneva. At the heart of discussions were the opportunities ushered in by new technologies, particularly in the fields of health and access to financial services. Digital governance was also high on the agenda for those taking part in 'Geneva Day'.

20.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
A delegation of the Federal Council led by President Simonetta Sommaruga today met with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Ms Sommaruga was accompanied at the meeting, which took place during the WEF Annual Meeting, by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter. Talks focused on the state of bilateral relations between Switzerland the EU, particularly with regard to the institutional agreement. They also discussed joint efforts to tackle climate change. Cooperation in the field of migration should be continued.

20.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
Over the last ten years, Switzerland has provided CHF 257 million from its enlargement contribution to support projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The two countries joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. The contribution aimed to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and within Bulgaria and Romania. The 93 projects, which came to a close in December 2019, have achieved good results. Switzerland's support contributes to greater stability in Europe, which is also in the country's interests.

17.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
At this the 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Federal Council stresses the importance of the event in Davos. This year all members of the cabinet will be in attendance; around 60 bilateral meetings are due to take place. President Simonetta Sommaruga will open the event on Tuesday, 21 January, together with Professor Klaus Schwab.

17.01.2020
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Article
EDA
Just what is the perfect trip abroad? And where would it take you? Swiss travellers have different needs and expectations – some prefer to go on their own, others would rather choose an organised tour. It doesn't matter if you're a backpacker or a jet-setter: the FDFA provides a wide range of services for anyone who wants to travel abroad.

16.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
Achievement of the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda can only be measured with the help of official statistics. These will be the key focus of the third United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) to be held in Bern from 18 to 21 October 2020. Under the label of the «Road to Bern», a series of events is planned in the run-up to this high-profile international conference.

16.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis today received his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Bern for his first official trip abroad. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations, Switzerland's European policy and international affairs.

15.01.2020
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on Friday 15 January 2020, the Federal Council adopted a draft federal act on the processing of personal data by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). This legislation fulfils the requirements of the Federal Act of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection while also taking account of more recent developments in internal organisation, technology and society.

Media (2467)

24.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
The Durban Review Conference has sent a strong message to the victims of racism thanks to the final text it adopted by consensus. It also constitutes an unequivocal statement by the international community in support of the fight against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The follow-up process to the 2001 Durban Conference has advanced the fight against racism in Switzerland. Civil society was a very active partner both during the Conference itself as well as in the margins. The demonstrations organised by civil society this week were orderly and peaceful.

22.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
A delegation headed by President Hans-Rudolf Merz and consisting of Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 25 - 26 April 2009. The key topics of discussion in the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the policy response to the financial crisis and the global downturn. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the impact of the financial crisis on poor countries and the role of the international financial institutions, and the current governance reforms in the World Bank.

21.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The disregard for humanitarian standards shown by combatants in the north of the country has resulted in many victims and seriously endangered the lives of tens of thousands of civilians caught in the cross-fire. The FDFA again urgently calls on all the conflicting parties to respect international humanitarian law and to end the hostilities.

21.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has taken note of the decision by the state prosecutor (SP) not to pursue the complaint submitted in January 2009 concerning the assets of former president Mobutu. The Confederation has been trying since 1997 to find a solution to this case. The freezing of assets was due to expire on 30 April 2009. To prevent the repetition of such cases in future, in December 2008 the Federal Council mandated the FDFA to draft a law making it possible to confiscate and to restitute the illicit assets of politically exposed persons.

21.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
Today, Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Eveline Widmer Schlumpf have received the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Jean-Paul Costa, in Bern for talks.

21.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland was part of the consensus which today adopted the final document of the Durban Review Conference, which corresponds to the objectives set by the Federal Council. Switzerland rejects with the greatest firmness certain remarks made by the President of Iran in the framework of this conference.

20.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
The FDFA has received confirmation of the recall of the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland. The FDFA deplores the excessive remarks made in this context by various Israeli representatives.

13.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to make an official visit to West Africa on 15-18 April. The visit will take her to Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

09.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Markos Kyprianou, has made an official working visit to Bern today for talks with his counterpart, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.

03.04.2009 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland will take part in the second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, which will be held in Istanbul from 6-7 April 2009. For Switzerland, this decision is an expression of its commitment to promote the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and religions. The Swiss delegation will be led by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.

09.12.2016 —
EDA
Switzerland chaired the 6th diplomatic meeting of states accepting the competence of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) yesterday. As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, it had invited the 76 states in question to Bern. The 68 states attended elected the institution’s 15 members for a five-year term, including one from Switzerland, Ms Laurence Boillat, currently a prosecutor in the canton of Vaud.

08.12.2016 —
EDA
At the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed that the revival of conventional arms control in Europe is pivotal to improving security for everyone. As a bridge-builder, Switzerland intends to play an active role in shaping a dialogue to this end.

08.12.2016 —
EDA
On 8 December 2016 Ambassador Roberto Balzaretti, head of the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), signed a trilateral agreement with France and CERN on behalf of the Federal Council. The agreement enables emergency services to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies on the CERN site.

02.12.2016 —
EDA
A number of personnel changes will be made in 2017 in the Swiss representations abroad and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The changes will take place as part of the usual transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council. The appointment of heads of mission abroad becomes effective following approval by the respective host state. The Federal Council thanks those ambassadors entering retirement for their services.

Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.

28.11.2016 —
EDA
Switzerland is to take part in the international conference on economic support and investment promotion in Tunisia on 29 and 30 November 2016. It will be represented by former Federal Councillor Samuel Schmid.

25.11.2016 —
EDA
Switzerland strengthens its involvement in efforts to revive conventional arms control in Europe. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is one of 14 foreign ministers to appeal in a joint declaration to all states to take steps to strengthen security and build confidence in Europe.

22.11.2016 —
EDA
The Francophonie Summit is the highest-level gathering of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) taking place on 26 and 27 November in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo. The theme of the summit is ‘Shared growth and responsible development: conditions for stability in the world and in the French-speaking area’. President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann will be representing Switzerland at the summit, which takes place every two years. The president will then travel to Kuwait, where he has been invited to pay a state visit.

14.11.2016 —
EDA
On Monday, 14 November, President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann received Polish President Andrzej Duda in Bern for an official visit. The official talks, attended by two further members of the Federal Council, focused on bilateral relations and also covered European and economic policy issues. In connection with the theme of dual-track vocational education and training, the two presidents later visited a local business.

11.11.2016 —
EDA
On 15 November 2016, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to Ljubljana to meet representatives of the Slovenian parliament and government. The talks will focus on bilateral matters, the situation in Europe, Swiss policy on the EU and regional security issues.

10.11.2016 —
EDA
Over 60 children and young people visited the FDFA today – Switzerland’s National Future Day – to learn about the department’s work and see the place where their parents, godparents or people they know work. The morning culminated in a meeting with Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, who showed them the Federal Council chamber and answered numerous questions (the sea of happy faces prompting him to describe the ‘Bundeshaus’ (Federal Palace) as a ‘buntes Haus’ (‘colourful palace’)). In the afternoon, the youngsters were able to explore the FDFA’s work in greater depth at a number of workshops.